France, Belgium, Netherlands
 

Hi.

Would anybody be able to help us (2 active adults mid to late 60's) plan a 2 week (14 night) trip from Boston to France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. We don't plan on renting a car for this trip. We love to take long scenic walks and don't like to spend our time on tour groups that jump on buses. However, we would absolutely visit the famous museums, e.g., the Louvre. We love to visit local restaurants with great local food and atmosphere. We are not looking for gourmet dining.

We are thinking about going mid September or early October pending what advised. We tossed around the idea for next Spring but we have many things on our list and thinking about the United Kingdom either next spring or Fall of 2027. Would love thoughts on what to expect for weather understanding that none of us have the crystal ball.

For France is it possible to see and still visit Belgium and the Netherlands? We are thinking that the majority of the nights would be in France.
Paris
Loire Valley
Brrittany
French Riviera
Lyon
Nornandy

If so, where would we stay in terms of bases and for how long? If not, what should we give up? High on our list based on conversations with others who have been there would be Paris, Normandy, and Brittany. Are there other areas that you highly recommend?

Belgium and Netherlands were recommended as a great pairing of other countries to visit if you had a total of 2 weeks. Reading about the fall colors and canals of Amsterdam have us very interested,

I'm sure based on the feedback we'll have plenty of thoughts and further questions.

Thanks, W

With only two weeks and a desire to also see a bit of Belgium and the Netherlands, I would restrict visits to only the northern half of France, so niether Lyon nor the Côte d'Azur.

Sorry, but two weeks isn't enough for even just your France list.

At a stretch one could (just about) squeeze in Paris, Normandy - plus maybe a bit of Brittany - Belgium and the Netherlands. And that would be fairly rushed. Just Amsterdam, another town or two in the Netherlands, Brussels, Bruges, Paris and Normandy would be a very full two weeks.

From your OP, it looks like you will need to to do the following:

3 nights Belgium. I recommend Ghent, and it would be easy to hit either Bruges, Antwerp, or Brussels as a day trip. Your choice.
3 nights Amsterdam.
4 nights Paris (this allows for one major museum per day plus anything else you can fit in)
4 nights somewhere else in France.

For the last part, I highly recommend you rent a car. Sounds like you want to get out into the countryside while you are tossing around the names of provinces, like so much candy. If not, you will be stuck in cities missing the essence of the provinces.

For those four nights with a car, you will have the freedom to stay in villages and eat truly local food and see dreamy sites that will otherwise be out of reach.

I agree that you need to be selective. In fact, I think kerouac and janisj are overly optimistic about what can be meaningfully combined in a single trip of 14 nights (one of which might be on a flight).

I urge you to consult some guidebooks. You can browse them at your local library.

I did say it would be rushed :)

Yes, you did. :)

Echoing the others, either spend your two weeks in France, and rent a car for some of the places you hope to visit, or spend the two weeks in Belgium and the Netherlands, both of which have plenty to offer away from the usual tourist trail.
Two weeks in France will barely scratch the surface, less than two weeks leaves the usual Paris-Brussels/Brugge- Amsterdam trip if you really want to combine all three countries.

Assuming that you haven't been to any of these places before, you don't have enough time to do everything that you want to do. My last trip to France was Rouen, Normandy, Mont St Michel for ten days and both my husband and I had both been to Paris years before but not together. Another recent trip was Amsterdam and Bruge and I had been to Amsterdam previously so we arrived in Amsterdam on a Monday morning, picking up a rental car on Thursday morning and drove to Bruge, stopping for a few hours in Antwerp to primarily see the Cathedral. Left Bruge on Saturday morning to drive back to the airport in Amsterdam for a flight to Israel which requires extra security layer but we did stop for a few hours in Den Haag for the Mauritishaus and an afternoon cafe stop.

You will definitely have to pick and choose. You could decide just to do Paris and Amsterdam, as no time to travel to Lyon and the Riviera, although if you decided only to travel in France, that would be different and you could do more solely in France.

I can’t agree more with the others, and they are all seasoned travelers. I’m still a novice, and one thing I’ve learned, don’t try to to do too much. That being said, we did a similar trip. We were in London so took the Eurostar to Brussels then local train to Ghent. Four nights in Ghent with a day train trip to Bruges. I had other reasons for going to Ghent so spent a day traveling to a small village with a private guide for a day. You would have that day to go to Antwerp via train. If you want to do Amsterdam you could go via train and spend two nights. (Or start in Amsterdam and work your way south) we then had two nights in Brussels. 6 nights total for Belgium. Staying in the NH Hotel chain. (I went back to Brussels in January for 4 nights and look forward to my next visit. Will take in Antwerp and Amsterdam on the next excursion) Then we took the train to Paris and spent 4 nights. And ended our trip back in London due to our original RT flights. So you will have 6-7 nights in France if you follow that route. We used Viator for day tours and Tours by Locals. All extraordinary guides. Paris By Mouth was a favorite food and wine tour. Enjoy!

Good advice here from everyone. Shelemm's plan would work well. To reduce travel times, perhaps your other stay in France could be somewhere like Reims / Epernay, as you have all the champagne houses there and wartime history (i think the end of WWII was signed off there). There is also a fairly major cathedral in Reims. You could spend maybe two - three days there (although I note that you will need travel time between each of your destinations - 14 days is not really 14 days because you will have travel days in between, so plan accordingly. I always allow a full day for travel, but in reality you might have an evening to explore your new surroundings. Amsterdam and Brussels will be lively by night, Ghent is a university town and always buzzy, Bruges a bit quieter.

Try to fly into Amsterdam and out of Paris or vice versa to stop backtracking and losing time. 14 days is tight for your ambitions but enough to get a taste of what is possible on a longer trip.

Spring weather is very unpredictable (can rain, snow, hail or turn on the heat). But this is an excellent time (in fact peak time) to see Keukenhof in the Netherlands or the Royal Greenhouses in Laeken outside Brussels, if you are lucky enough to get a ticket. However, I prefer autumn for travelling (especially September) because I like harvest time and the turn of the leaves, and also the weather is generally good - warm days, cool evenings. For the Netherlands and Belgium, bring your umbrella - it rains a lot, especially in spring.

Lavandula

We have had an exceptionally dry spring Lavendula, and April is normally one of the dryer months anyway. It can rain just as much if not more in France, depending on where you are. Certainly this year it has been wetter in France, and last year our April holiday was a washout in France.

That said I too prefer September but it is now counted as high season in many places rather than shoulder so can be expensive.

Please do not limit a visit to the Netherlands on a couple of days in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is not the Netherlands.

Hi everybody and thanks so much for the feedback.

Based on the overall advice, we have taken this all in and now shifting our goals to spending the entire 2 weeks in France alone and will do Belgium and Netherlands on a separate trip. Makes sense that we don't try and get it all in.

With that said, our new thoughts are to fly into Paris and out of Nice exploring as much as possible in between. Now maybe we could take in the highlights of (mixing cities with regions):
Paris 3-4 days
Versailles (Day trip from Paris)
Loire Valley (not sure on the timing yet)
Normandy 1-2 days
Burgundy Region (I hear that this region is advised over Brodeaux region for better landscape.

Then off to the south of France:
Provence
Nice
French Riviera

May need to pass on Brittany. Much prefer wine over champagne.

Thoughts on new plans? Timing?

We want time to be able to take the long walks and mild hikes if possible while enjoying the scenery. Hoping to be able to walk to small towns that offer the charm and beauty.
Thinking Paris first since city life is not so much our style yet we absolutely want to see the major attractions.

Please advise and thanks again, W

You are still trying to cram too many different regions into two weeks. Assuming 3 nights in Paris, according to you, you are trying to hit five different regions in the remaining 11 nights.

Plus, it is so much more realistic to think of a trip like this in nights, not days. Where you are going to spend the night is key to how much time you really have somewhere before taking off to the next destination.

Even more importantly, I would not try to do something like this without a car.

Heck - Belgium and the Netherlands are much closer/easier transport from Paris that some of those areas of France. I agree with shelemn -- too much (way too much IMO) in too little time. :(

Yep, WAY too much again.

So again, get a guidebook or two. Please! Get a calendar. Mark where you would spend the nights. Block out a half day each time you change locations (time to check in/ out, pack/ unpack, get to/ from lodging, get lost, etc). Figure out what you want to do in the places you think you want to visit. Realize you don't have enough time. Erase calendar. Start over....

Use rome2rio.com to identify transportation options. If planning to drive, note that for google maps, you'll need to enter actual leave / arrive times and will still need to add about 30% to the time estimates you get.

With two weeks, you can see some wonderful things. (BTW, 3 or 4 days is VERY little for a first visit to Paris, particularly if you will have jet lag when you get there. 3 to 4 days is definitely NOT enough for that magnificent city's "major attractions" unless you just want to walk or ride by them.) But you can NOT see everything. You need to do some research and make some difficult choices.

Good luck!

I remember your planning to Italy from last year (?) and much of your planning of that trip applies here.

Sorry to be repetitive to shelemn and janis, in order to have 3 full days in a place, you have to have 4 nights. And jet lagged ones, too, for Paris. Same with Normandy to have 2 days sightseeing in Normandy, you need 3 nights.

Edit: BTW, your day trip to Versailles will take a full day, leaving you only 2 full days (Maybe one is arrival day is part of this 3 day configuration?) for Paris's main attractions.

Remember that France is about the size of Texas, give or take And Italy is roughly the size of California. You have to plan around the distances you will be traveling, with or without a car.

Are you planning to drive from Paris to Normandy? In my opinion, 3 nights in Paris is barely enough time there. In my earlier post I meant to indicate that we spent four nights at the end of our trip in Paris driving from Mont St Michel with an afternoon stop in Chartres but it wasn't our first trip there but first in many years and first trip together.

If I were you..... After Paris I would choose two regions at most, preferably south of the Loire. Could be Auvergne and Provence. Or Limousin and Dordogne. Or Dordogne and le Pays Catalan. Or Pays Basque. Or Languedoc. And I would rent a car.

HI.

I see that we may be still trying to do too much in a short time. This is exactly the feedback I need. If all don't mind, I'll continue to research and review and pose some other ideas.

Thanks again and back to the drawing board. W

Hi OP, have a look at the feedback given in this thread: https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...paris-1730632/

It covers some of the regions you are considering and length of trip as well. Might give you an idea what is feasible if you do Paris and South of France

Hi. We are now looking at a revised trip and welcome feedback and any recommendations of where to stay.

Now looking at:

Flying into Paris from Boston. Staying 4 nights with hopes of visiting several of the main attractions but emphasizing long scenic walks and enjoying the cafe's and other restaurants. Have looked at several hotels and trying to keep it under $500/night. Based on my review, prefer the Saint Germain or Le Marais neighborhoods as our base. Fr

From there, taking a train to Bayeux (Normandy) and renting a car.

Stay 3 nights in Normandy.
Stay 3 nights in Brittany
Stany 3 nights in Provence.

With a car we would have more flexibility.

Will plan further southern France at a later trip.

Then drop off car in Avignon TGV Station in Provence and then take the train to Paris for 1 night near airport before direct flight home. I have reserved a comact SUV for approx. $600.

Would love your comments on this plan including recommendations of hotels to stay.

Thanks, W

Hmm how do you plan on getting from
Brittany to Avignon? It’s over a 10 hour drive. Four nights for 3 full days for Paris works as long as you skip Versailles. Normandy and Brittany ok too but no to Provence for 3 nights. Could consider Loire Valley instead

I agree with mjs -- still too much. And Provence is the outlier. I wouldn't add the Loire -- I'd give Paris more than 3 days and I'd give Normandy and Brittany at least 3 days (4 nights) each.

I'm going to have to agree. Have you taken some of our feedback and checked distances? Your current plan has you doing more traveling to get there rather than being there.

check out:

viamichelin.com (car distance)
rome2rio.com (general travel)
https://www.sncf-voyageurs.com/en/tr...t-reservation/ (SCNF website)

Remember the size of the area you are planning to travel. France is larger than you may think.

The landscapes of France are just so much more dramatic south of the Loire. And also the food is better. Normandy and Brittany can be compared to England and Ireland. Especially if you will be in the UK in the Spring. With the time you have, pick a region south of the Loire. Provence is wonderful, and there are many others. The Dordogne and southwest of France is filled with fantastic villages. Auvergne has ancient volcanoes. Pays Basque, le Pays Catalan, Limousin, even an overnight stop on the way south in places like the Marais Poitevin or Le Puy, you have the time to have a magnificent trip.

Go ahead and search for places like St Cirq Lapopie, La Roque Gageac, Roussillon, Les Baux de Provence, Sisteron, Chateau de Peyrepertuse, Gorge de Galamus, I mean it's a vast array of choices. but I advise to stick to one region (or even micro-region) and not bounce around. You even have time to rent a gite for a week and simply explore from there. You could spend your entire trip in the departement of Lot and not run out of magnificent things to see.

I had excellent meals in both Normandy and Brittany and am exceedingly glad that I spent time in those parts of France.

Clearly shelemm has never really experienced either Normandy or Brittany,both of which have very varied landscape and coasts, and imo excellent food.
Anyway either concentrate on Paris and Provence or Paris and Normandy Brittany. You can't do it all in 14 days.

First, I very much enjoyed my time in both Normandy and Brittany. I did experience the landscapes there, and I didn't say there was no variety (or beauty) in them, just that they are similar to what you will find in the UK. There is even a Mt St Michel in Cornwall! If the OP is going to the UK in the Spring anyway, then they will get more 'bang for their buck' by going south of the Loire. Also, I do think the food is much better, I didn't say you can't have good meals north of the Loire.

This thread has morphed form the original intent, which was to include the Netherlands and Belgium, which I commented on upthread. Now the OP is proposing going to Provence and the North of France. Instead, I am saying just stick to the south. The OP has the time and inclination.

Bayuex is considered a foodie kind of place which definitely adds to an already charming and outstanding destination. Can't recall if you had decided to drive or not but if so and you do decide to make a stop in Rouen which is of course quite historic, it is also a foodie hot spot.

I agree with several above posts. Start with a map of France. Then identify the cities/regions you're talking about. For comparison, Brittany to Provence, as the crow flies is like from Chicago to central Pennsylvania. I doubt you'd consider a trip to Chicago for three days, then off to Pennsylvania, for three days and then three more in the Washington DC area. Once you see where the areas are in France, then Use the map to visualize the areas to see that aren't a 10 or 12 hour drive apart.

A trip to Paris, Normandy and Brittany could be possible in the time allotted. Rushed, but doable. Or you could look at Paris, Lyon and Provence. Again, likely rushed but doable.

So much hand-wringing!

FWIW, I believe Brittany's Cote de Granit Rose is unique and I, personally, found it absolutely stunning. If there is a similar coast in the UK, or elsewhere, I'd be interested in knowing about it.

For my particular interests, I can't imagine having time for Paris AND Provence in a single 2-week trip ...adding the Dordogne? No way!!! But that's just me. I hope the OP will do the research necessary to choose a plan that works in light of the OP's interests and I hope the comments on this thread prove more useful than not.

Hi,

Apparently my entry from yesterday did not post so I am trying again.

Yes, things did change from the beginning. We will just concentrate on Northern France on this trip. Would love your comments on Burgundy vs Brittany even though the driving (car rental) will be more. We don't mind driving especially if scenic.

Yesterday's entry:Agree. I did goof with the Provence thought. I was relying too much on AI to help me out.

We are settled in visiting Paris and Normandy. Based on distances, I am thinking of adding the Loire Valley as the final stop before train back to Paris.

Agree with all, as mentioned, that spending more time in fewer places allows us to enjoy the areas more thoroughly but we prefer to see a little of more if you know what I mean.

I'm happy with the 4 nights in Paris, 3 in Normandy, 3 in either Brittany or Burgundy, and 3 in Loire Valley and 1 night back at the Paris at the airport.

We are fine with starting in Paris and renting a car in Normandy for the remainder of the trip returning the car at our final destination and taking the train back to Paris. Possibly consider passing up on the Loire Valley and spreading those nights over the other areas.

Brittany is very appealing and makes sense to us from a flow perspective. However, part of me wants to visit Burgundy instead. I realize Brittany makes sense in terms of a loop, i.e., Paris, to Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley and back to Paris. But what are your thoughts on replacing Brittany with Burgundy for a change of scenery even though now the driving will be longer?

Thanks for bearing with me, W

Burgundy and Paris yes, Burgundy, Normandy and Paris no. Completely different directions, and you waste a lot of your precious 14 days just moving from one area to another.

Also I suggest taking a train on arrival to wherever you decide to start the tour, spend a night there, pick up the car and put all of Paris at the end of the trip.

What are you hoping to see in Normandy/Brittany/Burgundy?
I assume Normandy beaches is the aim of the Normandy section rather than inland? No doubt along with Mont St Michel. Normandy has much to offer inland as well as the interesting, but over-touristed coast.
Brittany is also a big area, with very different coasts and inland areas, steeped in prehistory, myths legends, scenery.
Likewise where in Burgundy? What do you want to see there?

It seems AI has a lot to learn about travel. And IMO, the OP does, too.

Agree with Hetis above. My only reservation is renting a car outside of Paris. Auto shift cars used to be less common in the past and I do not know whether this is still the case. Also can OP drive a stick?

Also would return car to CDG if your last stop is Loire valley

Rent an electric/plug-in hybrid/hybrid and they are automatic. Plenty of recharging stations in France nowadays.

HI. I will say, we have some tough passionate people on this forum. I just appreciate all the feedback, both toned and untoned.

You all have offered opinions that have made me go tot he library, research more on line, talk to people from France, yes, use AI (this was actually recommended from a lovely family from France now living in the US), etc.

I am retired and found a wonderful part time retirement job which allows me to interact with many customers who are preparing for travel. I have spoken to them on many occasions on their experiences.

And for those that think that the "OP" has alot to learn, well always. However, if I had listened to everybody on their first preferences I would never had seen and enjoyed all the places we have.

Driving 5,6, or more hours is nothing from us. I'm assuming many of you are not used to long road trips.

Regardless, you have all helped me more than you think and agree with the comment about passion.

We want to explore Paris mostly by foot and metro not spending days in museums. I'm guessing that offends the art lovers. Sorry no ill intent meant but it's just not us. As mentioned, we will spend a 1/2 day at most at the Louvre. I have booked a very nice hotel in the Saint Germain neighborhood which provides airport transportation.

I am now looking for possibly a nice B&B in Bayeux.

From there, yes, the plan is to visit Burgundy based on recommendations of people who have been there regarding the wine and places for nice scenic long walks.

The Loire Valley, I'll admit is still up in the air but because I am choosing Burgundy it may be a logical choice before heading back to CDG airport for 1 night.

I've booked the car rental for Caen Train Station and plan to drive to wherever we book in Bayeux. Bayeux was highly recommended based on the atmosphere we like, towns with French charm, cobblestone streets, scenic, etc.

At present we will drive from Loire Valley back to CDG airport as opposed to taking the train but that is still open.

I'm going to book the round trip to/from CDG next. From there, everything in between is always subject to change.

Love the feedback and honestly feel free to critique at will.

Thanks all, W

My #1 tip for the Louvre, the second floor cafe has a balcony with an amazing view, one of the best in Paris. You do not have to eat there.

Next tip, if there is a line at entry, hardly anyone seems to use the entrance at Porte des Lions. We sailed in on a free Sunday (first of every month).